How does Job 15:5 reveal the impact of sin on our speech? Setting the Scene “ For your iniquity teaches your mouth, and you choose the language of the crafty.” Eliphaz directs this charge at Job, yet the Spirit-inspired words unveil a timeless principle: sin is never content to stay hidden; it trains the tongue to spread its influence. Sin as a Tutor of the Tongue • “Your iniquity teaches your mouth” – Wrong desires become an instructor, shaping vocabulary, tone, and timing. • “You choose the language of the crafty” – The will cooperates, selecting expressions that disguise, manipulate, or wound. Spiritual Dynamics Behind Corrupt Speech 1. Internal corruption flows outward • Matthew 12:34: “For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” 2. The tongue becomes a weapon • James 3:6: “The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity… it sets the whole course of life on fire.” 3. Deceit accompanies disobedience • Psalm 36:3: “The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and do good.” Consequences of Sin-Driven Words • Damaged relationships (Proverbs 16:28) • Distorted witness (Ephesians 4:29) • Self-deception (Jeremiah 17:9) • Hardened heart (Hebrews 3:13) The Path to Redeemed Speech • New heart through Christ (Ezekiel 36:26) • Daily submission to the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) • Scripture saturation (Psalm 119:11) • Honest confession when we fail (1 John 1:9) Practical Steps for God-Honoring Words 1. Begin the day in the Word, letting truth set tone and vocabulary. 2. Pause before speaking; filter thoughts through Philippians 4:8. 3. Replace crafty language with gracious, seasoned speech (Colossians 4:6). 4. Invite accountability—allow trusted believers to point out sinful patterns. 5. Celebrate growth: every Christ-shaped sentence testifies to His power over sin. |
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